Officers show their support for road deaths campaign

Officers from Staffordshire Police got their cycling and running gear on to show their support for a Detective Chief Superintendent who completed a gruelling 210 mile challenge over seven days to raise awareness of road deaths.

Detective Chief Superintendent Andy Cox, Head of Crime at Lincolnshire Police, started the week-long challenge on 16 May, cycling and running 30 miles a day. Andy completed the challenge on 22 May at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas.

The event raised funds for RoadPeace, the road victims’ charity, and aimed to not only get the public talking about road deaths, but to raise awareness of the devastation they cause to families and communities every day.

The route saw Andy travel across the UK on routes where fatal and serious road collisions have occurred and was joined by officers from Staffordshire Police on the final day of his challenge on 22 May.

Over £65,000 has been raised.

Sergeant Thomas Watson, of the Roads Policing Unit at Staffordshire Police, said: “We were pleased to see so many participants from our force support the inspirational Andy Cox in this challenge.

“We supported the Andy Cox Challenge to ask people to not only consider their own safety on the roads but to look out for others, including pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders.

“The number of people who needlessly die on our roads every year is simply not acceptable. Five people die and more than 60 are seriously injured, on average, every single day on the UK’s roads.

“Road collisions are preventable and we’re working with partners to do everything we can to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads.”

Deputy Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime, Helen Fisher added: “We’re pleased to have supported the Andy Cox Challenge, to help raise funds and awareness for charity RoadPeace, who support people bereaved and seriously injured in road crashes.

“As the co-chair for the Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership (SSRP), our priority in Staffordshire is to intensify the partnership’s activity so we work jointly to reduce the road casualties that have devastating consequences for families.

“We all have a part to play in keeping our roads safe, whether that’s through our own skills and attitudes as drivers, or through making a difference locally by reporting speeding concerns or taking part in Community Speed Watch.”

The SSRP is a partnership between public sector organisations within Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, who work together to make our roads safer.

The SSRP aims to achieve a long-term, sustained reduction in road traffic collisions through joint work by partners including Staffordshire Police, Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Staffordshire County Council and National Highways.

You can still donate by visiting the donation page for the challenge - The Andy Cox Challenge 2022 - JustGiving